“PURDY GOT GAME!!!!!!!!!” LeBron James’ tweet last January lit up social media after the 49ers quarterback’s playoff masterclass against Seattle. Mark Sanchez sees the NBA legend’s winning DNA in Brock Purdy’s evolving game ten months later.

The young quarterback’s latest statement came in prime time. Purdy flipped a 10-6 halftime deficit against Dallas into a 30-24 victory, leading three touchdown drives in a jaw-dropping third quarter. But it wasn’t just about the scoreboard—it was how he got there that turned heads.

“Having somebody like Brian Griese for Brock has really helped his development and kept him even keel,” Sanchez observed on The Herd with Colin Cowherd today. The former NFL quarterback drew parallels between Purdy and NBA legend LeBron James, noting how both stars adjust their game when their primary weapons misfire. “Like a really good pitcher when the fast ba-l’s a little off or the curve ba-l is not really breaking right way… I got to find a way to win,” Sanchez explained.

Remember last January’s Wild Card thriller? Purdy lit up Seattle’s defense with 332 yards and three touchdowns. When told about James’s post-game social media praise, his face lit up. “LeBron said that? Oh, that’s sweet. That’s awesome. That’s so cool,” Purdy beamed, showing the human side of a rising star.

Fast forward to October 2024, and Purdy’s growth shows in the clutch moments. Against Dallas, he went 18 for 26, throwing for 260 yards. “I saw the rest of our team was clicking, and I just had to do my job,” Brock Purdy reflected. “Third quarter, I came out and kept it simple, but also played aggressive.” His connection with George Kittle proved lethal—six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown.

For the 49ers, sitting at 4-4 heading into their bye week, this victory carried extra weight. Left tackle Trent Williams put it plainly: “When we can run the ba-l effectively and not turn it over, the results today are what we can expect.”

And adding to this, the 49ers GM has high praises for his QB.

Lynch’s bold stand aids Quarterback’s bounce-back

John Lynch had seen enough. After Purdy’s three-interception game against Kansas City last week, the 49ers GM didn’t hesitate to defend his quarterback. “Tom [Brady] had bad games,” Lynch told KNBR on Friday. “I think when you look at Brock’s tenure here… 95 percent of them [or more] have been excellent.”

The timing of Lynch’s support proved perfect. Purdy bounced back from his career-low 36.7 passer rating against the Chiefs to silence doubters in the Cowboys showdown. 

This resilience mirrors the 49ers’ recent history. The team went 16-2 following their Week 9 bye over the past two seasons, reaching the NFC title game in 2022 and the Super Bowl last season. Now at 4-4, they’re positioned for another second-half surge.

“He’s a confident kid. He’s always going to get himself ready to play,” Lynch emphasized. For a quarterback who caught LeBron James’s eye as a rookie and now channels that champion’s mindset, the sky’s the limit